A woman in the bedroom of her Claude Street home thought the footsteps she heard coming through her back entrance Sunday were those of her husband returning home.

When she called out to him, according to a report by Patrolman Will Parrish, “… The footsteps got loud and it appeared as if someone was running away.” 

When she got up, she realized the footsteps had been those of an intruder. She quickly called her husband who called police, the patrolman’s report continued.

When Parrish arrived, he searched the outside premises and found “drag marks in the grass that suggested someone had fled the area before I arrived.” The officer also found scratch marks on the door frame indicating a forced entry.

Claude Street is perpendicular to Patton Lane near the northwest city limits.

Police also investigated a report of vandalism Sunday afternoon on Claude Street and also on nearby Williams Street. In both instances, victims’ vehicles had been spray-painted, Sgt. Richard Lott’s report stated.